The Norwood Scale | Where are you on the Norwood Scale Norwood 4?

The Norwood Scale | Where are you on the Norwood Scale Norwood 4?

Hair loss is a major problem, which affects millions of people around the globe. There is no one is an exception and every person has gone through the period of hair loss at least once during their lifetime. Hair loss can be severe and even it can create larger and wider hairless spaces on our head. These types of male pattern baldness are affecting a wide variety of individuals.

The Norwood-Hamilton Scale also known simply as The Norwood Scale helps to categorize hair loss into various levels. The stages of the Norwood Scale and the associated treatment options are as follows.

Norwood 1

This is characterized by minimal hair loss along with the frontal hairline, especially in the forehead and on the temple.A wise selection of the shampoo and conditioner is important and a Hair Transplant Procedure is an option at this point. It’s also advised to discontinue the use of any other hair products such as hair gels, wax, coloring, and so on.

Norwood 2

Sage two is characterized by the hair loss on the frontal line along with the temporal areas take a triangular shape. Deepening of these areas can have a symmetrical or not symmetrical form of triangle. In this stage, deepening or baldness covers an area of not more than 2 cm from the front hairline. However, the hair recession causes less hair in the parietal region. Moreover, there is a clear differentiation between the density of hair on the frontal and on the temporal region.

This condition needs to be monitored and examined by a dermatologist. Do not try to be your own doctor. Shampoos with Minoxidil and Finasteride are highly useful. When selecting medications be sure to choose something FDA approved to limit side effects and protect your health. A Hair Transplant Procedure could also be conducted.

Norwood 3

This is the highest degree of hair loss in the alopecia region. One can observe deep frontal and temporal receding hairline and they are usually symmetrical and sparsely covered with hair. At this stage the deepening of the hair loss covers more than the 2 cm from the hairline. In addition, this is the first stage to show a significant amount of hair loss that obviously needs medical treatment.Medications or a Hair Transplant Procedure can be options at this stage. Treatments are aimed at stopping continued hair loss and regrowing hair at the same time. The recommended medication combination at this stage is Minoxidil with Retin A which has a synergic effect on the Minoxidil and increases the effectiveness.

Norwood 4

The frontal and frontotemporal hair loss is more severe than in the previous stages. In addition, the parietal or the top most regions of the head show a partial or complete hair loss at this stage. Moreover, the hair on both sides of the head usually separates the frontal area and the crown show extensive hair loss.

This stage medication is normally a mix of Minoxidil and Retin. If those are not sufficient, the addition of Antiandrogens, Folligen, and Lamin Gel may be prescribed. A Hair Transplant Procedure is also a viable option.

Norwood 5

Crown area has a very narrow separation from the frontotemporal region. Meanwhile, the balding process covers a large area, resulting in a horseshoe shape instead of the triangular shape described on above stages. At this stage, the hair loss is severe and therefore the combination medications can be effective. However, if there is no improvement your doctor might recommend a combination of Proscar and Spironolactone or a Hair Transplant Procedure.

Norwood 6

Hair separation between the crowns and the frontotemporal region is gone. The frontotemporal region merges with the crown area and shows the largest alopecia region.

The hair loss at this stage is extensive, hence, medications will have a limited effect. The choice of treatment at this stage are Low Level Laser Therapy or a Hair Transplant Procedure.

Norwood 7

The most severe form of male pattern baldness. In this stage there is total hair loss starting from the forehead and ending with the back of the head. Hair remains only on the side surfaces of the head (near the ears) and the lower borders goes near the neck for the occipital region.

The hair loss can lead to total hair loss. A Hair Transplant Procedure is the only option at this point.

* This article is for informational purposes only. You should consult with your doctor before beginning any treatments or taking medications.

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Male pattern baldness or Androgenic Alopecia is the type of the baldness affecting more than 70% of the men worldwide and 40% of the women. This is caused by the influence of the androgenic hormones. These hormones make the hair follicles to shrink, when this happens the nutrients cannot supply to the hair, hence, the hair follicles dies. This can be the fate of not just one hair, but for most of them when the hormones influence on them.

If you would like to see before and after hair transplant videos of actual patients just scroll down and select the Norwood Stage listings before. These are natural transplants and we have 100's of video for you to watch and learn about the Norwood-Hamilton Scale for male pattern baldness.

Why does our androgen cause Alopecia or baldness?

Under the action of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase detected in cells of our hair bulb and hair papilla, testosterone is converted into the more active hormone called 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Later, they act on the sensitive hair follicles and cause severe spasm of blood vessels, which causes the degeneration of follicles and leads to hair dystrophy. In fact, the hair on the head remains, but it is not fully-grown hair, but they forms short, thin and colorless, which are practically invisible, and they cannot cover the scalp, which shows us the picture of baldhead. The degenerated hair prematurely enters the telogen stage or the resting stage and they are not completed when they move on to the next stage. Therefore, the not fully-grown telogen age passes the hair to the next phase, which is the anagen, or the growth phase. Since the hairs in the telogen stage are almost dead, they can easily leave the skin during brushing, washing and drying. In addition, the hair follicles become small and thus the hair loses its length and the thickness. The sensitivity of follicles to DHT is determined primarily by heredity. Tendency to hair loss in 73-75% of cases is inherited through the maternal line, 20% from the paternal line, and only 5-7% of the people experiences androgenic alopecia without any hereditary connection.

Moreover, the hair follicles that are sensitive to the DHT or 5-alpha-dihydroxytestosterone are situated in the frontal as well as on the parietal region. This area can be described as the androgens dependent zone. However, the hairs on the occipital and on the temporal region are not sensitive to the DHT or 5-alpha-dihydroxytestosterone. Hence, they are described as the androgens independent zone.

Generally, there is no difference we can see with the mechanism of the development of the androgenic alopecia in men and in women, but the development of the alopecia pattern is different. Men are usually susceptible to the frontal hair loss and then the alopecia spreads to the parietal or the top most regions of the head. However, this is not true for women; they start from the middle region or of the parietal region and then the baldness spread to the frontal part of the head. However, the alopecia spares the occipital and the temporal region.

The Norwood Hamilton Scale, otherwise known as the Norwood Loss Scale, is a widely used and accepted standard for classifying male pattern baldness and hair loss. The original Norwood Scale was created in the 1950s by Dr. James Hamilton with adjustments and revisions in the 1970’s by Dr. O'Tar Norwood.

When exploring hair loss treatment options and setting expectations for hair growth after a hair transplant its important to understand where you fall on the Norwood Scale. Depending on your Norwood Scale classification hair loss cure options can be abundant or limited. Call us at 844-327-4247 to speak with a doctor and get your Norwood Scale questions answered. At Natural Transplants our friendly and knowledgable hair transplant surgeons are avalible to supply a Norwood Scale classification and review related hair restoration options FREE of charge.

NORWOOD 1NORWOOD HAMILTON SCALE

At the Norwood 1 Stage there is very little to no visible signs of hair loss.

If you have a history of hair loss or male pattern baldness in your family its important to periodically monitor for indications of thinning hair or a receding hairline regardless of your current Norwood Scale classification. Identifying changes early on and implementing a preventive hair loss treatment can stabilize or slow your hair loss.

NORWOOD 2NORWOOD HAMILTON SCALE

At the Norwood 2 Stage hair loss begins to become visible. Typically the hairline recession forms a triangular How do I or wedge-shaped pattern in the temporal areas (front corners).

NORWOOD 3NORWOOD HAMILTON SCALE

At the Norwood 3 Stage the hair loss pattern is a deepening of the triangular or wedge-shaped pattern in the temporal areas (front corners) as seen in Norwood 2. Often referred to as a “widows peak” the temporal areas (front corners) are barely covered or fully exposed with no hair growth.

NORWOOD 3 VERTEXNORWOOD HAMILTON SCALE

At the Norwood 3 Vertex Stage the hair loss pattern is a deepening of the triangular or wedge-shaped pattern in the temporal areas (front corners) as seen in Norwood 2 in addition to the onset of hair loss in the vertex (crown). Often referred to as a “widows peak” the temporal areas (front corners) are barely covered or fully exposed with no hair growth combined with early hair thinning or hair loss in the vertex (crown).

NORWOOD 4NORWOOD HAMILTON SCALE

At the Norwood 4 Stage recession of the triangular or wedge-shaped pattern in the temporal areas (front corners) becomes progressively severe as companied to Norwood 3 and a general recession occurs in the frontal region. Hair loss in the vertex (crown) increases to form a bald spot more with heightened definition over Norwood 3 Vertex. A thick brand or bridge of hair divides the temporal areas (front corners) and vertex (crown).

If you have a history of hair loss or male pattern baldness in your family its important to periodically monitor for indications of thinning hair or a receding hairline regardless of your current Norwood Scale classification. Identifying changes early on and implementing a preventive hair loss treatment can stabilize or slow your hair loss.

NORWOOD 5NORWOOD HAMILTON SCALE

At the Norwood 5 Stage hair loss in the frontal areas, temporal areas (front corners), and vertex (crown) is enlarged compared to Norwood 4 and hair density is reduced. The brand or bridge of hair dividing the temporal areas (front corners) and vertex (crown) has narrowed and thinned.

NORWOOD 6NORWOOD HAMILTON SCALE

At the Norwood 6 Stage the brand or bridge of hair dividing the frontal areas, temporal areas (front corners), and vertex (crown) in Norwood 5 has disappeared leaving some “peach fuzz” or a fully bald areas. A “horse shoe” pattern is formed by hair remaining on the back and sides.

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Hair transplant is really a blessing to all or any such women and men who are able to finally have thick mane the same as others and go out in public proudly with no problem. There's another area of the secret the hair transplant industry will not want you to be aware of. The hair restoration business is comprised of three distinct categories. Hair loss is just a condition which affects billions of men and women throughout the world.

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